One month before graduation, my father and mother leaned on me to join the Army Reserve. For the first time in my life, I witnessed my mother cry because she thought I’d be off to Vietnam shortly after graduation so I relented from my youthful view that I wouldn’t get drafted or something else would occur. So I cut my hair, and was sent off to Fort Bliss, Texas. While in basic training, the lottery took place and I found out I was number 321. I cursed my bad luck but in retrospect, I gained a wonderful friend with whom I remain close today.
